Southeast Massachusetts Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Southeast Massachusetts featuring a river or creek, fishing and autumn colours
Unmissable purely for its history, this region also offers spectacular coastal scenery and a rich cultural community.

Remember the brave Mayflower Pilgrims and learn about what life was like for the new arrivals in Southeast Massachusetts. Leap forward in time to discover a proud maritime existence and explore the area’s excellent galleries and museums.

The perfect place to start your visit to Southeast Massachusetts is Plymouth, where a hundred or so weary travelers arrived in 1620. The towering 81-foot (25-meter) National Monument to the Forefathers welcomes you, with Plymouth Rock nearby. Take a look inside majestic 17th-century houses and join a guided tour of Plymouth Plantation.

To see more recent history, drive southwest to Fall River State Heritage Park. In an area of just 8 acres (3 hectares), admire the planet’s largest collection of U.S. naval vessels, including various submarines and the World War II battleship U.S.S Massachusetts.

For your own maritime experience, try canoeing and kayaking in Westport and Dartmouth or find spectacular windsurfing conditions at Horseneck Beach on the south coast.

Undoubtedly one of the finest seaside cities in the state is New Bedford, a 30-minute drive across the state line from Providence, Rhode Island. The charming port is alive with the cries of gulls as trawlers unload the day’s catch and ferries set sail for Martha’s Vineyard. Wander along the cobbled streets to discover scenic restaurants serving delicious fish, mussels and oysters from lunchtime through evening.

Find eclectic art in downtown galleries. Marvel at magnificent sculpture and oil paintings at Gallery X and the New Bedford Art Museum before you end your day enjoying a ballet or theater performance.

Southeast Massachusetts is defined as bordered byBoston to the north and Rhode Island to the west. Among the main urban areas are New Bedford, Plymouth, Brockton and Falmouth. New Bedford hosts many of the year’s best events. Join the Folk Festival at the start of July and the Working Waterfront Festival taking place during the final week of September.

Where to stay in Southeast Massachusetts

Nantucket showing boating, a bay or harbour and a marina

Nantucket Town

While visiting Nantucket Town, you might make a stop by sights like Nantucket Atheneum and Nantucket Historical Association.

Nantucket Town
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Katama

While visiting Katama, you might make a stop by sights like South Beach and Norton Point Beach.

Katama
Nauset Beach showing a beach as well as a couple

East Orleans

East Orleans is noteworthy for its beaches, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Nauset Beach and Cape Cod National Seashore.

East Orleans
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Falmouth Heights

4.5/5(4 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Falmouth Heights, Falmouth Heights Beach and Island Queen Ferry are top sights worth seeing.

Falmouth Heights
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Bass River

3.5/5(3 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Bass River, Cultural Center of Cape Cod and Main Street are top sights worth seeing.

Bass River
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Cliff

While visiting Cliff, you might make a stop by sights like Jethro Coffin House and Founder's Cemetery.

Cliff
Hyatt Place Boston/Braintree
Hyatt Place Boston/Braintree
3.5 out of 5
50 Forbes Road, Braintree, MA
The price is ฿3,682 per night from 2 Dec to 3 Dec
฿3,682
฿4,112 total
includes taxes & fees
2 Dec - 3 Dec
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Braintree. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,171 reviews)
"I wish pool hours would have been until 10pm."

Reviewed on 2 Nov 2024

Hyatt Place Boston/Braintree
Marriott Boston Quincy
Marriott Boston Quincy
3.5 out of 5
1000 Marriot Dr, Quincy, MA
The price is ฿3,991 per night from 2 Dec to 3 Dec
฿3,991
฿4,458 total
includes taxes & fees
2 Dec - 3 Dec
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Quincy. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a 24-hour fitness centre and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,103 reviews)
"Well kept property with a beautiful view. It was elegant with a comfortable feel."

Reviewed on 3 Nov 2024

Marriott Boston Quincy
Motel 6 Brockton, MA
Motel 6 Brockton, MA
2 out of 5
391 Westgate Dr, Brockton, MA
The price is ฿2,594 per night from 1 Dec to 2 Dec
฿2,594
฿2,897 total
includes taxes & fees
1 Dec - 2 Dec
Stay at this motel in Brockton. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews. ...
5.6/10 (1,026 reviews)
"Clean, nice."

Reviewed on 3 Nov 2024

Motel 6 Brockton, MA
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Sandcastle Resort and Club
Sandcastle Resort and Club
3 out of 5
929 Commercial Street, Provincetown, MA
Stay at this 3-star beach aparthotel in Provincetown. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
7.2/10 Good! (1,003 reviews)
"Everything was great. No complaints!"

Reviewed on 30 Oct 2024

Sandcastle Resort and Club
Edgewater Beach Resort, a VRI resort
Edgewater Beach Resort, a VRI resort
3.5 out of 5
95 Chase Avenue, Dennis Port, MA
Stay at this 3.5-star beach aparthotel in Dennis Port. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a private beach. Popular attractions Pleasant Road Beach and Cape Cod ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (246 reviews)
"We loved our stay! The 1 bedroom was very clean fully equipped with everything we needed. All the extras like soap for dishes , dishwasher towels for the pool. Pool area very clean beautiful grounds. Friendly staff."

Reviewed on 27 Oct 2024

Edgewater Beach Resort, a VRI resort
The Club at New Seabury
The Club at New Seabury
3.5 out of 5
95 Shore Drive West, Mashpee, MA
Stay at this 3.5-star beach condo in Mashpee. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions South Cape Beach State Park and Popponesset ...
9/10 Wonderful! (299 reviews)
"will definitely go back again .. awesome place!"

Reviewed on 26 Sep 2024

The Club at New Seabury
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Cities near Southeast Massachusetts